- Safiu Kehinde
Lagos State Special Offences Court’s judge, Justice Rahman Oshodi, has dismissed a request for his withdrawal from the ongoing trial of the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele.
The defence counsel led by Olalekan Ojo, had on Monday orally applied for the judge withdrawal from the trial, arguing that his previous rulings suggested a likelihood of bias.
Delivering his ruling on Wednesday, Justice Oshodi reportedly held that the allegations of bias raised by the defence were unsubstantiated.
He maintained that that there was no evidence to justify his withdrawal from the case.
Opposing the defence’s application for Justice Oshodi’s withdrawal, Rotimi Oyedepo, counsel for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), argued that the proceedings had been conducted fairly and equitably.
After reviewing the arguments and legal authorities cited, Justice Oshodi ruled that the application lacked merit and subsequently dismissed it.